Escondido residents are waiting for a decision on a proposed ice rink complex at Kit Carson Park. The Rinks Foundation, a nonprofit run by billionaire philanthropists Henry and Susan Samueli, has proposed a 16-acre ice sports complex with three rinks, up to 3,000 spectator seats, a restaurant, retail space, and 430 new parking spaces.

Proposal Details

The foundation would lease a portion of the park from the city to build the complex, which would be located on the south end of Kit Carson Park where four softball fields currently sit. The Rinks Foundation would pay $4 million to relocate those softball fields to Frances Ryan Park, which is about seven miles north of Kit Carson.

The foundation would fund the construction, operation, and maintenance of the complex. The proposed lease agreement would be for 25 years, with five opportunities to extend the term for 5-year periods, totaling 50 years. The foundation would pay the city up to $187,500 per year of the lease.

Community Reaction

Many residents are fiercely opposed to the foundation’s proposal, with one advocacy group called Save Kit Carson Park leading the charge against it. Critics say the ice complex would completely change the atmosphere of the park and create larger crowds. It would also likely be inaccessible to many lower-income families, as Kit Carson Park is free, while ice sports often are not.

Some residents are also frustrated at what they call a lack of transparency. The city has been in talks with the foundation since 2023, but the first time the proposal was brought to the public was less than two months ago.

The city says the ice complex could be a great civic asset that would attract tourism, provide jobs, and put Escondido more on the map. It would also bring in a lot of money to a city that has historically dealt with major financial strain.

Original reporting: Voice of San Diego — read the source article.